OXFORD — Ole Miss senior running back Rashad Amos knew he wanted to end up back at college football’s highest levels.
The Atlanta native began his career at South Carolina and logged a total of 106 rushing yards over three seasons. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder transferred to Miami (Ohio) prior to the 2023 season and broke out in a big way, rushing for 1,075 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to third-team All-MAC honors.
After his successful 2023 campaign, Amos entered the transfer portal again in December. He committed to Mississippi State and then Colorado in April before eventually choosing to transfer to Ole Miss in May. Returning to a premier conference was an important part of his decision-making process, Amos said. He was rated as a consensus three-star transfer.
“I think that was my main goal,” Amos said. “I had a good season last year, but I just felt like I needed to go back up and play at a higher level and just show that I can showcase my talent on any level. And, of course, I just love the SEC, there’s so much talent. … It’s everything you need.
Ole Miss’ running back room will look significantly different than it has the last two seasons. Gone is All-SEC running back Quinshon Judkins, who ran for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns in two years with the Rebels before transferring to Ohio State. The Rebels return senior Ulysses Bentley IV, who ran for 540 yards and four touchdowns last season and also added Henry Parrish Jr. Parrish, who has 2,057 career rushing yards, played his first two seasons at Ole Miss and spent the last two at Miami before opting to return to the Rebels.
While a lead back may emerge from the Rebels’ deep running back room, it currently looks like it could be a three-headed monster by committee approach — not too different from what the Rebels had with Jerrion Ealy, Snoop Conner and Parrish in 2020 and 2021. That approach is fine with Amos, who understands the importance of having “a stable” of capable runners and competition within the room.
Per Pro Football Focus, Amos had 771 yards after contact, picked up 55 first downs and forced 49 missed tackles in 2023. His yards after contact total was 19th nationally, his first downs picked up was tied for 33rd and his missed tackles forced was tied for 34th. Amos doesn’t see himself as just a power back, though.
“A lot of people would see me as just a power back, getting the first down. But I believe I can do everything,” Amos said. “But of course, I’m going to buy into my role and try to do whatever I can and just be a physical back, because I am one of the bigger backs in the room. But I definitely think I’m an every-down back.”
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